Early Childhood Education

Morton College is Entitled Institution for Illinois Gateways to Opportunities Credentials

Morton’s Early Childhood coursework has been explicitly aligned with the early childhood competencies and requirements needed for our students to receive a variety of Gateways Credentials. Credentials are awarded and recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development. Some Circles of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois require Gateways Credentials and employers can use Credentials to help them in their hiring decisions.

As an entitled institution, we have designed our coursework to meet the different levels of Gateways Credentials. Successful completion of your ECA – Early Childhood Assistant Certificate, ECC – Early Childhood Education Career Certificate or Associate in Applied Science Degree from Morton College makes you automatically eligible to apply for your Gateways Credentials. Additional information on Gateways to Opportunity and the benefits of obtaining your Gateways Credentials can be found at www.ilgateways.com

Gateways Credentials are symbols of professional achievement that show your knowledge, skills and experience in caring and educating for children. They are an individual achievement that you can be proud of.

JOB OUTLOOK

Preschool Teacher, Projected Job Growth - 10% growth by 2026, faster than average for all occupations.

Childcare Center Director, Projected Job Growth: - 11% growth by 2026, faster than average for all occupations.

ECE Fall 2021

Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education Degree

The Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education Degree provides the early childhood education professional with knowledge to care for children in child care centers, home child care, etc.

Early Childhood Education Program Paraprofessional Educator Career Certificate

The Early Childhood Education Program Paraprofessional Educator Career Certificate prepares students for entry-level positions as paraprofessional educators (teacher assistants) and can lead to the Associate in Applied Science degree in Paraprofessional Education.

Early Childhood Education Program Early Childhood Assistant Career Certificate

The Early Childhood Education Program Early Childhood Assistant Career Certificate provides early childhood caregivers with basic knowledge regarding child growth/development and developmentally appropriate programming.

Early Childhood Education Program Early Childhood Education Career Certificate

The Early Childhood Education Program Early Childhood Education Career Certificate prepares students for entry-level positions in child care programs and meets the minimal educational requirements established by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for an early childhood teacher who has obtained one year’s experience in a licensed center.

Gainful Employment Information

Morton College provides students with cost, completion and employment information for students in certificate programs.
Download gainful employment information (PDF) for the following certificate programs:

Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Assistant

For more information, visit the Early Childhood Education Program home page.

Career-Advancing Degrees in Early Childhood

Morton College is partnering with National Louis University. Choose from:
Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Practice

  • Work in child care settings that do not require state licensure
  • Obtain up to three statewide recognized Gateways to Opportunity credentials:
    • ECE Level 5
    • Infant Toddler Care Level 5
    • Family Child Care Level 5
    • Illinois Director Credential Level II

Teaching Degrees in Early Childhood Ed (ECE)

  • Teach children from birth to grade three with one of our teaching programs
  • Bachelor’s in ECE
  • Graduates will earn a Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed for early childhood and self-contained general education

For more information, download an informational flyer.

Coming Soon!

  • Forms for ECE Credentials
  • Information about options for jobs
  • Information about transfer opportunities to Universities

Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program

The Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program is an individual-based scholarship opportunity for eligible practitioners working in Early Care and Education (ECE) or school-age care programs. The Program will pay a percentage of tuition and fees dependent upon availability of funding. Goals of the program include:

  • Enabling practitioners to continue education in ECE and to earn degrees, certificates, endorsements, or credentials
  • Promoting increased earning ability through increased education
  • Improving the quality and consistency of care received by children in licensed child care or school-age care settings

Are you eligible? Find out by visiting the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity website.

Early Childhood Nature Assistant

This curriculum is designed to provide basic knowledge regarding child growth and development and nature-based developmentally appropriate programming for those working with children in zoos, park districts and museums.

For more information, including course offerings, download the informational flyer (PDF).

Position Description

Interested Early Childhood Education students should download a PDF of position requirements and responsibilities.

Requirements

Students must:

  • Be referred to CZS by instructor of ECE-260
  • Hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • If offered the position, provide proof of current tetanus immunization (within 10 years), at extern's cost
  • If offered position, submit to a complete background check

Application Details

Interested students must complete a full CELO application packet, which includes the online application, resumΓ©, cover letter, two letters of recommendation from professional references and an unoffical transcript.

Applications may be sent to:
Fax: (708) 688-7304
E-mail: interns@czs.org (PDF attachments preferred)
Mail: Conservation Leadership Program Supervisor, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513

Past Events

Bridging the Gap

The Bridging the Gap 2013 was a huge success with much food and great ideas for Math and teaching shared. For more ideas on presenting Math in classrooms, teachers can visit the following websites:

Erikson Early Math Project
Illinois Early Learning website Math ideas

Degrees and Career Certificates

For more information on courses, requirements, the Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education Degree and Early Childhood Education Career Certificates.